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Once a complaint has been taken or a violation observed, what typically happens?

Once a complaint has been taken or a violation observed, the Code Enforcement officer inspects the site and researches city files to determine if the complaint is valid. If determination of a valid compliant is verified, then a first notice warning letter is sent indicating the violation of the section(s) of the Municipal Code and requesting voluntary compliance. If compliance is not met with the first warning letter, a second letter is sent, again requesting voluntary compliance and indicating the violation of the section(s) of the Municipal Code. The third letter is a request for an office hearing allowing the violator to air concerns but still seeking voluntary compliance.

If the office hearing does not result in compliance, the matter is then referred to the City Council for authorization for legal action through the city attorney. Even though the matter has been referred to the city attorney, the first priority is voluntary compliance. Some matters are resolved by the city attorney, some are resolved by the court.

Most complaints come from residents regarding the conditions of their neighborhood or a neighbor’s property. Other complaints come from the Code Enforcement officer and other city employees as they go about their daily routines. Part of the Code Enforcement officer’s standard routine is to patrol various areas of the city.

Once a complaint has been taken or a violation observed, the Code Enforcement officer inspects the site and researches city files to determine if the complaint is valid. If determination of a valid compliant is verified, then a first notice warning letter is sent indicating the violation of the section(s) of the Municipal Code and requesting voluntary compliance. If compliance is not met with the first warning letter, a second letter is sent, again requesting voluntary compliance and indicating the violation of the section(s) of the Municipal Code. The third letter is a request for an office hearing allowing the violator to air concerns but still seeking voluntary compliance.

If the office hearing does not result in compliance, the matter is then referred to the City Council for authorization for legal action through the city attorney. Even though the matter has been referred to the city attorney, the first priority is voluntary compliance. Some matters are resolved by the city attorney, some are resolved by the court.

When a notice of violation letter is prepared, the Code Enforcement officer is required to give the Municipal Code section that is violated. If a violator disputes the city staff’s interpretation of the Municipal Code section, that determination is appealable to the Community Development director. This could be an informal appeal to the director and could be done through a meeting with the director or more formally through a written appeal. The decision of the Community Development director is appealable to the Planning Commission, upon filing of the required forms and fee. The decision of the Planning Commission is appealable to the City Council, upon filing of the required forms and fee.

The Code Enforcement officer is authorized pursuant to Section 836.5 of the California Penal Code and City Council Resolution No. 91-742, to enforce all statutes of the Moorpark Municipal, Zoning, Parking, Building, Housing, and Health and Safety Codes. While the Code Enforcement officer’s authority extends to enforcing parking violations, those are typically enforced by the Moorpark Police Department and Moorpark Public Works Department.